NEWS
NTRA, Equibase industry report says wagering and purses up in U.S.
Posted: Friday, October 04, 2002
Through the first three quarters of the year, wagering on Thoroughbred racing in the United States is up 4.2% and purses have increased 1.1% from the first three quarters of 2001, according to a new quarterly industry report issued by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Equibase.The report, "Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators," covers total wagering in the Untied States and Canada on U.S. races, purses, and race days, with comparisons to the previous year. The information is gathered by Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry's official database, from figures reported by tracks throughout the United States.
Total handle through September 30 was $11,599,370,156, compared with $11,134,588,763 in 2001, and total purse money offered was $808,921,460, up from $800,019,747. A total of 5,082 days of racing were conducted through the first three quarters this year, compared with 5,073 during the same period last year.
"The wagering numbers compare favorably with last year's and are consistent with the other recent signs of progress for the sport and industry, including growth of account wagering in California, successful race meetings at most tracks, a surge of interest in the spring and summer due to the exciting Visa Triple Crown as well as increases in television ratings," said NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith. "We hope that number is closer to the total wagering growth figure by the end of the year."
The five-year average annual increase in wagering on Thoroughbred racing in the United States is 3.2%. Total pari-mutuel handle has increased annually since 1994, according to the report.
"This new report from Equibase will help us monitor our industry's bellwether statistics and augments our research in the areas of fan interest, television ratings, and consumer attitudes toward racing," said NTRA Senior Vice President Keith Chamblin. "We look forward to receiving this information from Equibase on a regular basis and will analyze the numbers and share them with the industry as they become available."
